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UC Berkeley: Demonstrators barricaded themselves in vacant building in protest over minority programs

Bay City News Service

Posted:
11/27/2012 07:42:09 PM PST

Updated:
11/27/2012 09:52:50 PM PST

Several students barricaded themselves inside of a vacant University of California at Berkeley building on Tuesday to demand support for minority programs on campus, according to protesters.

A statement of demands distributed by protesters over the Internet said that the six protesters who have locked themselves in Eshleman Hall are seeking increased support from the administration for minority recruitment and the Multicultural Student Development offices.

The protest began around 4:30 p.m.

Banners have been hung from the building, and protesters said that police have been unable to get to the sixth floor, where the protesters have reportedly chained themselves.

Protesters have also gathered in the plaza outside of the occupied building, lighting candles and cheering on the demonstration inside.

Eshleman Hall is slated for demolition this fall to make way for planned improvements for the Sproul Plaza area of the campus, according to school officials.

About 9:39 p.m., the protestors emerged from the building. They will not face charges.